Current Students The Learning Centre Resources Assessment types

Assessment types

University assessments take many forms, each with its own conventions and expectations. Select an assessment type below to find out what it involves, how to approach it, and how to write it well, with examples to guide you along the way.

Annotated bibliography

A list of sources, each followed by a short critical summary of its relevance and quality.

Case study

An in-depth examination of a real or hypothetical scenario using relevant theories and evidence.

Essay

A structured writing piece in which you present your arguments supported by evidence and reasoning.

Literature review

A critical synthesis of existing research on a topic, identifying themes, gaps, and patterns in the literature.

Report

A structured document presenting findings, analysis, and recommendations on a specific topic.

Reflection

A personal and critical examination of your experiences, actions, and learning in relation to theory.

Oral presentation

A spoken delivery of researched content to an audience, supported by visual aids and structured preparation.